Choosing a Medical Power of Attorney

We all hope to live a healthy life and be fully conscious of the decisions we make. There is a very real possibility at some point in your life you will not be able to make critical decisions due to an accident or illness and will need someone else to make those decisions for you.If you haven't written instructions naming medical decision makers for you, family members, medical staff and courts could approve actions not in your wishes.The following are tips in choosing your Medical Power of Attorney (PoA): 1. Use your brain, not your heart in selecting PoA's. You need someone who can make decisions based on what you want, not what they would want. Your PoA's may face scrutiny from family members for the decisions they make. 2. Prioritize your PoA's. Having co-Powers of Attorney can lead to disagreements and delays in taking action. The preferable method is listing a first, then second and finally a third PoA. 3. While location of your PoA's isn't critical it is beneficial, especially during a prolonged illness, to have PoA's who are local. 4. Talk to your potential PoA's about your basic wishes medically (which medical procedures, medications used, etc). Most Power of Attorney documents are accompanied by a Living Will which states your intentions regarding the use of life support equipment when two doctors have stated that you have no chance of surviving without machine assistance and you are brain dead. This document removes the toughest decision from your PoA's.When your Medical Power of Attorney is complete, make copies and send to all persons you have appointed in this role. Sending a copy to your primary physician is advised as well.A Living Will is an important document to compliment your PoA. Your Living Will states your intentions regarding the use of life support when two physicians state you have no chance of surviving and machines will only prolong the inevitable. This document takes the most difficult decision out of the hands of your Power of Attorneys.While there other activities sounds more enjoyable than creating this type of plan, your family will be spared time and stress with the legal structure in place to make care for you an easier process.

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